'B-Side:' Newest SFJazz Restaurant Offers Music-Inspired Fare

'B-Side:' Newest SFJazz Restaurant Offers Music-Inspired FareRoasted delicata squash. | Photos: Teresa Hammerl/Hoodline
Teresa Hammerl
Published on May 18, 2017

After the departure of bar and restaurant South at SFJazz earlier this year, Tiffany Yam and Hanson Li of Salt Partners (Petit Crenn, Humphry Slocombe, Horsefeather, LocoL, Bacon Bacon, Halcyon, Stella Public House) are bringing their newest restaurant, B-Side, into the space at 205 Franklin St. (near Fell).

SFJazz wanted something that was "integrated into the venue." For the two owners, this started with the name, which was inspired by the b-side (the "flipside") of records that often carry instrumental tracks. Many of the cocktails also bear names with a connection to jazz.

The cocktails all bear names that are connected in some way to jazz.

Even the newly-added wooden design of the restaurant reflects the building that houses it.

"We remodeled to make it more fitting for jazz," Li said. "Our focus is on people who come here for the shows, but we also wanted to create a welcoming space in the neighborhood for everyone," he said.

Both the cocktail menu, developed by Ian Scalzo of High-Proof (Horsefeather) and the food menu, created by Chef Chris D'Andrea, were created to match the ambiance of the jazz venue.

Photo: Emily Wolfe
9 Wood cocktail with gin, lime, grapefruit, cardamom, vanilla, coffee, sparkling wine.

While Hayes Valley already has a high density of restaurants (with more opening this year), Li said that was a plus. He believes that having so many restaurants in the neighborhood is a draw and creates more awareness for the local dining scene.

To that point, Yam pointed out that B-Side is not only a restaurant; it can also be a live music venue. 

The restaurant has a large window, which will allow patrons to take a look at performances while they are having dinner. B-Side can also pipe music from SFJazz performances directly into the restaurant.

B-Side burger served with pickled red onions, crispy cheese, fries or salad.
Seasonal fried pies come with strawberries.

"People can come here before or after dinner for a drink. It's such a relaxed setting," said Yam.

She also mentioned that customers —especially those celebrating birthdays — often choose the plush leather couch setting for bigger groups to sit down, a setting that can't be found in many other spots in the city.

"I think it's very unique in San Francisco, that you can have ten friends to sit down in a comfortable setting like that," Li said.

In the future, B-Side has plans to add outdoor seating, but that is still in the works.

B-Side opens Wednesday-Sunday at 5:30pm, with food served until 10:30pm. For reservations, e-mail [email protected] or call (415) 287-6599.